“It’s not what you are, but what you don’t become that hurts.”
– Oscar Levant
Thailand Balloon Ride I
Gouache on 5″ x 7″ Black Photo Mount Card
To follow along with the quote… this little black photo mount card wasn’t satisfied to be just that. It wanted to be the surface for a painting. 
The photo reference came from Dewi at WetCanvas. She took it from a hot air balloon. The photo was rather dark, so it inspired me to play with my gouache. I had a great time. Tomorrow, I’ll show you the other view from her balloon.
About Oscar Levant
Oscar Levant was a brilliant musician whose work was often overshadowed by his witty, neurotic persona. He was born in 1906 in Pittsburgh and moved with his mother to New York in 1922 to study music, gaining renown as a concert pianist before his twentieth birthday. He composed the scores for more than 20 movies in the years 1929 to 1948. He appeared in movies such as An American in Paris and hosted a TV talk show for two years; the show was taken off the air due to his risqué comments. He died in 1972.
You certainly captured a “bird’s eye view” of this. Love how this really shows what white can do in apainting. Can’t take my eye off the sheep.
……and i never want to ride in a balloon.
So I guess riding in my plane with me is out of the question. ha ha ha I did have a lot of fun painting this one. Thanks, Leslie!